Why Does AGT Alone Run Driverless? — The Deciding Factor: "Evacuating on Foot" from a 30-Meter Viaduct

When AGT first emerged 45 years ago,

the primary goal of driverless

operation was "reducing labor costs."

However, today, as we face a severe

shortage of train drivers, driverless

operation has evolved beyond a mere

cost-saving measure. It has become

a vital lifeline for "keeping the

infrastructure running" in a changing

society.

In reality, most railways in Japan

cannot be "fully automated." In

subways, for instance, it is mandatory

to have staff on board to guide

passengers during emergencies such

as fires. Therefore, even if the

technology exists, they remain at the

level of "automated operation with a

driver" due to institutional regulations.

Then, why is it difficult for monorails—

which run on viaducts just like AGT—

to operate without a crew? The

reason is that it is difficult for

passengers to evacuate from a high

viaduct on their own. In contrast, AGT

vehicles are equipped with emergency

exits and stairs at the front and rear,

allowing passengers to descend

directly onto the track and walk to the

nearest station. This specific design—

a structure that enables safe, self-

evacuation—is the legal foundation

that makes fully driverless operation

possible.

The strength of being "driverless" is

most apparent during large-scale

events. While conventional railways

require months of complex driver shift

adjustments to add extra trains, AGT

can increase service frequency with

the flip of a switch, provided the

vehicles are maintained. This agility—

the ability to absorb surges in demand

without worrying about driver

shortages—is a major competitive

advantage of AGT.

Choosing to go "driverless" is not a

cold, mechanical rationalization; it is

a sincere response to the social

challenge of labor shortages. By

ensuring reliable operation at all times

and adapting to the needs of the era,

the strategic design hidden within the

AGT structure offers crucial hints for

the survival of future urban

infrastructure.

I hope you look forward to the next

AGT Blog!